By Dorcas Ting
KUCHING, Feb 7: A local shop assistant has been sentenced to a total of seven years and nine months in prison, along with one stroke of the cane, after pleading guilty to a series of criminal charges heard in the Sessions Court and Magistrates’ Courts here.
The accused, 35-year-old Alex Ujai, admitted to eight charges in total, several of which were linked to a widely shared video showing a police pursuit on the Batu 4 flyover along Jalan Kuching–Serian on January 31.
Court proceedings revealed that police officers on crime-prevention patrol noticed a Perodua Viva being driven suspiciously.
The driver was believed to be wanted in connection with a house break-in and other offences. Officers followed the vehicle and attempted to stop it at the Batu 4 flyover after identifying themselves as police.
Instead of complying, the accused sped off, triggering a brief pursuit.
During the incident, the car struck three other vehicles, and one officer sustained injuries after being dragged while attempting to stop the suspect.
The accused later abandoned the car on the flyover and fled on foot, but was arrested shortly after at a nearby premises along Jalan Penrissen.
At the Sessions Court, Alex was sentenced by Judge Iris Awen Jon to five years and four months’ imprisonment and one stroke of the cane for repeated drug consumption involving methamphetamine and amphetamine.
The offence was committed in May last year while he was at the Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department of the Kuching District Police Headquarters.
Separately, he was brought before three Magistrates’ Courts, where he faced additional charges arising from the same chase incident and earlier offences.
These included obstructing a public servant in the discharge of duties, causing injury to a police officer to prevent him from carrying out his duty, reckless driving that led to collisions with three vehicles, and breaking into a house with the intent to steal in the early hours of January 30.
He was also punished for being unable to give a satisfactory explanation for possession of a luxury Rolex watch believed to be stolen.
The combined sentences from the separate courts amounted to seven years and nine months’ imprisonment. Some of the prison terms were ordered to run consecutively.
The prosecution was conducted by deputy public prosecutors Chuah Kai Sheng, Muhammad Aidil Akmal Sharidan and Muhammad Afiq Safly Nor Kazly. — DayakDaily
